Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of global death with a rising prevalence and a heavy economic burden. Periodontal disease has been associated with cardiovascular diseases—including incident coronary heart disease, peripheral artery disease and ischemic stroke. The study evaluates the quality of life of patients with cardiovascular and periodontal disease from the point of view of oral health by using the short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. Materials and Methods: This study included a total of 221 patients (61.86 ± 15.03 years old) selected from the Emergency Hospital of Sibiu, Romania. The participants self-completed the OHIP-14 questionnaire and they benefited from an oral health examination conducted to assess the presence and the severity of periodontal disease. Results: Out of the 147 patients with cardiovascular disease, 77.5% had periodontal disease (32.6% stage I, 29.2% stage II, and 15.6% stage III and IV). The presence of periodontal disease was associated with a lower oral-health-related quality of life (p < 0.001, ANOVA) and with a higher OHIP-14 score in patients with cardiovascular disease (18.67 ± 8.17, p < 0.001 ANOVA). No significant difference was observed concerning patient sex and background; however, age, body mass index and the lack of an appropriate oral hygiene routine had a strong association with the individual quality of life. The general OHIP-14 score was higher in patients with periodontal disease and associated cardiovascular disease, the presence of both cardiovascular and periodontal disease being associated with a lower quality of life. Conclusions: By increasing the patients’ awareness to oral healthcare measures, better outcomes and improved oral-health-related quality of life could be observed.

Introduction: The physiological process of wound healing is a complex and dynamic series of events that aims to restore damaged tissues to their original structure and function. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an autologous blood-derived product, is characterized by a high concentration of platelets suspended in a small volume of plasma, along with a complete array of coagulation factors at physiological concentrations. Beyond platelets, PRP contains a significant quantity of bioactive growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), all of which are crucial mediators of tissue repair and osteogenesis. Due to these properties, PRP has garnered considerable attention in oral surgery, where the efficient regeneration of both hard and soft tissues is critical for the optimal therapeutic outcomes. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to critically evaluate the efficacy of PRP in oral surgical procedures, with particular emphasis on its role in the regeneration of both soft and hard tissues, as well as its clinical outcomes. Furthermore, the review sought to identify the diverse surgical applications of PRP and assess the impact of its use in conjunction with grafting materials on regenerative outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive systematic review was conducted, analyzing articles published within the last decade regarding the application of PRP in oral surgery, specifically focusing on periodontal, regenerative, and implant-related procedures. Studies were selected based on rigorous inclusion criteria, assessing the utilization of PRP across different clinical settings. Results: Thirteen relevant studies were included, which were categorized as follows: three studies involving implant surgery, three studies focusing on third molar extractions, two studies on regenerative surgery, two studies addressing periodontal surgery, one study examining intrabony periodontal defects, and two studies on ridge augmentation procedures. The majority of studies reported modest improvements in clinical parameters such as periodontal probing depth and clinical attachment level (CAL). Furthermore, significant positive outcomes were observed in soft tissue healing, with notable enhancements in bone density. These results suggest that PRP may facilitate the healing process, particularly in soft tissues, while also promoting bone regeneration to a degree. Conclusions: The findings of this systematic review underscore the potential of PRP as a valuable adjunct in oral surgery, demonstrating significant benefits in the regeneration of soft tissues and, to a lesser extent, hard tissues. Notably, the standalone application of PRP did not yield substantial improvements in regenerative outcomes. However, when PRP was used in combination with grafting materials, more pronounced benefits were observed, indicating a synergistic effect that enhances both soft and hard tissue regeneration. These findings support the rationale for incorporating PRP into clinical practice, particularly in conjunction with grafting materials, to optimize patient outcomes in oral surgery. Further research, particularly involving larger sample sizes and long-term follow-ups, is necessary to fully elucidate the optimal clinical applications and mechanistic pathways of PRP in oral regenerative procedures.

Metabolic syndrome is experiencing a concerning and escalating rise in prevalence today. The link between metabolic syndrome and periodontal disease is a highly relevant area of research. Some studies have suggested a bidirectional relationship between metabolic syndrome and periodontal disease, where one condition may exacerbate the other. Furthermore, the existence of periodontal disease among these individuals significantly impacts overall health management. This research focuses on the relationship between periodontal disease and metabolic syndrome, while also incorporating data on general health status and overall well-being. We aimed to develop advanced machine learning models that efficiently identify key predictors of metabolic syndrome, a significant emphasis being placed on thoroughly explaining the predictions generated by the models. We studied a group of 296 patients, hospitalized in SCJU Sibiu, aged between 45–79 years, of which 57% had metabolic syndrome. The patients underwent dental consultations and subsequently responded to a dedicated questionnaire, along with a standard EuroQol 5-Dimensions 5-Levels (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. The following data were recorded: DMFT (Decayed, Missing due to caries, and Filled Teeth), CPI (Community Periodontal Index), periodontal pockets depth, loss of epithelial insertion, bleeding after probing, frequency of tooth brushing, regular dental control, cardiovascular risk, carotid atherosclerosis, and EQ-5D-5L score. We used Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) frameworks to build predictive models in order to determine which of these risk factors exhibits the most robust association with metabolic syndrome. To gain confidence in the results provided by the machine learning models provided by the AutoML pipelines, we used SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values for the interpretability of these models, from a global and local perspective. The obtained results confirm that the severity of periodontal disease, high cardiovascular risk, and low EQ-5D-5L score have the greatest impact in the occurrence of metabolic syndrome.

Background: Due to the increasing global prevalence of Alzheimer’s dementia (AD), neuromodulation techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and photobiomodulation (PBM) are considered potential complementary therapies. Objective: We assessed the efficacy and safety of tDCS and PBM and their potential to enhance cognitive functions in individuals with AD. Methods: This review primarily examined studies designed to evaluate the efficacy, followed by an assessment of the safety of tDCS and PBM for people with AD. The databases searched were PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection, resulting in 17 published randomized and controlled trials. References were screened over 5 years (2020–2024). The research design used PRISMA guidelines. Results: Fourteen studies were considered for tDCS, and the current literature supports efficacy and safety at an amperage of 2 mA, with electrodes placed on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Three studies were included for PBM. The heterogeneity of these study measures made them unsuitable for combined efficacy analysis, and they did not provide a safety evaluation. Conclusions: Despite differences in efficacy assessments, tDCS and PBM improved cognitive abilities. There is an urgent need to standardize metrics for evaluating efficacy and safety, particularly for PBM. Future research is encouraged.

Background/Objectives: Preterm infants represent a population group at increased risk for vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and for its negative impact on various outcomes like metabolic bone disease or rickets, respiratory complications like respiratory distress syndrome and the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, or retinopathy of prematurity. Methods: Despite the growing interest in vitamin D research, there is still uncertainty regarding clear recommendations for each high-risk category of premature infants concerning the optimal dosage, optimal product, and timing for initiating vitamin D supplementation to prevent VDD. Results: An analysis of the literature suggests that early intervention for the optimal enteral supplementation of vitamin D is not only successful in achieving higher 25-hydroxi-vitamin D (25(OH)D) at one month but is also linked with improved outcomes. Conclusions: The traditional concepts and current recommendations for assessing vitamin D status and optimal supplementation need to be revised. Since parenteral nutrition, fortified mothers’ own milk, and special formula for preterm infants cannot provide adequate vitamin D levels, initiating oral supplementation soon after birth is essential to correct VDD in preterm infants.

Objectives: This article introduces a digital technique for virtual articulator mounting by employing the scan of a facebow worn by the patient as a virtual reference. Methods: The digital technique enables the transfer of the maxillary arch orientation relative to the cranial base into a CAD-CAM environment (Ceramill Mind; AmannGirrbach), without the need for ionizing radiation or identification of facial landmarks. By digitally aligning the intraoral scans of the dental arches (Trios 4; 3Shape) with a 3D facial scan and the scanned facebow in position (Artex; AmannGirrbach), clinicians can reproduce the cranium-to-maxilla spatial relationship accurately and intuitively. Results: This radiation-free protocol provides virtual cross-mounting and allows for the use of a semi-adjustable articulator within common CAD-CAM software. Conclusions: Given that intraoral scanners, facial scanners, and design software with articulator simulation are becoming more available in modern clinical workflows, this method introduced here could be a viable radiation-free and easy-to-use alternative. However, larger cohorts and standardized testing protocols are needed to determine its clinical reproducibility and reliability.